Since UMass was an FCS team when he arrived, it's also possible he'll be ruled eligible for 2011.

UMass also has redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Hill, who is just coming back from a foot injury, and second-year junior college transfer Ian Shultis. Whoever runs the team will operate a run-first offense that relies on play-action as opposed to the riskier brand of deep downfield passing.

"That's always been my style of play,'' Pagel said.

"Sometimes you've got to take a chance, but usually, you take what the defense gives you.''